lowry



Aug. 17, 1943. J. R. LowRY VALVE FORl MTLKING MACHINES v Original Filed July 22. 1940 INVENTOR.

JESSE E Lnwm ATTORNEY.

those sinned in the art.

.Reissued Aug. 7.,l 1.1943

vALvE FoR'MlLKINGMACnINEs Jesse It. Lowry, Des Moines, Iowa.

original No. 2,286,557, dated June 16, 1942, serial No. 346,682, July 22,V 1940. Application for re, Y .Y issue June 9, 1943, Serial No. 430,181 l v11 claims. (ci. 31482) The principal object of this invention isto provide a simple and sanitary valve forumecha'nical milking machines.

A further-object of this invention is to provide a. valvey for milking machines `that vmay be quickly and easily detached or replaced.

A sun further object of this invention is 'to provide a valve for milking machines that is eco-` nomical in manufacture and durable in use. These and other objects will be apparent to My invention consists the construz'ztion,l arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are lattained as hereinafter more fully s'et forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side sectional View of'umyrdevicev installed in the line andready for use.

Y Fig..2 is a bottom plan view of the fixed plate portion of the valve mechanism.

Fig. 3 `is'arsectional View of thedevice taken on line y3---3 of Fig. 1 and more fully illustratesits construction. Y f f Fig. 4 is an enlarged side View of vthe upper portion of the valve guiding stern.V A Most milking machines have intermittent pres# sure and suction applied through the line. Obviously. a check valve orvalves are necessary in the line to receive and dispose of themilk obtained.

` The chief objections to most f these valves are that theylare complicated,arefdiiiicult to clean and keep in a vsanitary conditionand are diiTlcult to vdetach, from orreplace into thelineof the mechanism. I have overcome such objectionsfasu I Willhereinafterbe appreciated; Y Referring to 'the drawing, I vhave ,used the numeral I0 to designate aplate member designed to cover an open receptacle such as a milk pail,

v milk can, er like. This baseplate I0 alsoserves as a partof my valve. The numeral II desig- 'nates a. circular opening cut Ain and through the member IU. The numeral, I2 designates a disc element supported bythe ,brackets I3 in a horizontal plane slightly above the top pointA of the member Ill as shown in Fig. 1. This'disc element I2. is so positioned thatits vertical axis is in the center of the circular lopening II. The brackets I3 are U-shaped, each having oneof'its ends ex-V tending downwardly from theunder side oftheV peripheryof: the disc I2. f The numeral I5 desig-kr nates a post extending upwardly from the center of the disc I2. The upper end of thispost I5.i s

reducedin Vdiameter and provided with vertical groove passageways I6 as shown in Fig.- 3 and Fig.Y 4. YThe extreme upperend oi the postis` ,v pointed to facilitate the guiding ofthe moveable portion ofthe valve onto the same. The elements Il),y I2, I3, I4'and`rl5-may vbeV considered asthe xed or non-movable portions of my valve; The

numeral II designates the inverted cup portion V'of the movable portion" of the valve.

vertedcup member I'I has atleast its major side walls of transparent material such as glassso observed. -In the drawing', show .the entire inverted cup portionas made -of glass or other transparent material. VThe lower end portion o i the inverted cupmember liextendsdownwardly and' outwardly and then downwardly as shown Y vin Fig. 1. The diameter of the egrtreme lowerfend o f the inverted cup member is slightlymless than the diameter of the opening Il, while .the central portionof the inverted elongated cup member is member I0 and then curved upwardly to engage 1 j and support the horizontal disc |2.', Themembers I0, I2, and I3 are rigidly secured vtogether-and if desiredmay befcast in one piece. of the circular disc I2 ,is.le ss than-the diameter of the opening I I vand thezdiscf is formedxwith a continuous receiving groove Iaroundits peripheryr as shown in Fig. 1.

y rubber ringior like resilientband resting in the groove-and extending completelyV `around the;

The diameter- The numeral I4 designl'atesav of a diameter substantially less than the' diameter o f the rubber ring Ill@ Bythis construction, the l extreme lower portionv of the-cup member may n pass downwardly within the opening I I and freely past .thedis I2; but due to the factthat the central portion of the cup memberis Ismaller than the disc, that portion ofY the inverted cup member that extends outwardly and downwardly land which I have designated by the numeral I8 may engage' and rest on andl be supportednby the rubber'rin,`g i4. Qbviouslywhenthe inverted cup..

member isI in alowered position for engagement with the rubber ring I4, the inside of the c up will besealedat its lower end portion andtwvhen the cup member is raised to a position as shown-.by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the flared wall I8 of the cup will be rout of engagement. with the rubber ring .Y gasketand the inside of the cup will be incommunication with a receptacle or like placedrunder the member It. The numeral I9 designates ,-a.

' hollow stemintegraliy formed on the centerjof the bottom offthe invertedkcup I"I and which slidably `loosely embraces Vthe upper endof the post I5. Bythis construction, the cupmay-move upwardly or downwardly in proper alignment o n andwithrthe stationary portions of the valve. .The numeral 2i) designatesa flexible tube having one end embracing the hollow lstem I9 andV its other end designed to be in communicationwith the suction and pressure means of axmilkingmachine and which'usually consists of. a reciproeating piston operating 'within a cylinder. The'` inside "of Vthe inverted cup member is `therefore always in communication with-the pressure and' suction means of the"v milking machine by virtue of the-air passageways I6; The numeral'll Vdeksig-v NISan .communica tlo orme 'tear cups, it isfpossibie .fr machine ,y ing n'iilkwithirifthe inverted-cup member" LIN 'V l I -.nates a pipe stemgcommunicating With theinside top portion of the: inverted cup I8 as-shown in Fig.' 3. 'IYhismemben 2 Irextenls `downwarily.`..a1fnl slightly at 'an anglefto the radii`-`ot the cup:I Ist; Thenumeral 22 designates a ilexible tube having one end embracing themember2l and its ,otherv rendl designed to extend to and communicate *with* the yelements that embrace the teats of'thecow-,tofbe mlked. f i

I The' practical operation ofjthe devices as foi"- lows: .L

When a suctonor minus pressure existswithin-jy x i partial vacuumis at once restored, so aslto hold l be usedjrwithrfmachinesfnaving intermittent plus4 and.

theftube 20, the suction will alsojbe experience'd-A -f 'renced theinsidey of kthe 'Cupl` Will experience`y a y*12p 'dfmnkwithm the bupmemberto pass down; `ii'raifdlyv"therefromrr andyinto the receptaclbelow thepositionof'the'rnember` 2l relative tothe c up` itlwill enter the 'cup with a slight rotarymotion'; l y,proper!y placing vit-''cornl'nlet'ly around the lower. f Vendf'of the "'cup "'fory forf epain itl is merely? lnecessary tof-lift' th'e isasusenible my val'vefforncleaning purposes f Withinfthe cup "I1 and the inside 'of the -tube`f2 2 thereby causing milk to flow from'the cowtl'rrough t, the''tubey 22 vand into the cup I'I. "",Also .due toy this y 'sud'tinfthbub "-Will be" in a lowered position on the f ring" I4 fand" its flower Aendtherefore` sealed. However, when'the intermittent' pressure is expethe member I1 down. The float means can also uS-; pressures as me fijoat vvalve win aid inrr sing the inverted cup` member when arsur-r plus amount of milkis in therinverted cup member. I

Some changes `maybe made in the constructionand'yarrangement of my improved -valve for milking ',rnachines Without departing from the real spiritandpurpose of my invention, and'it is myintentiontoooverby my claims any modied forms-of 'structure or use of mechanical equiva- Ylerntswwhich` may be reasonably rincluded within their scope;r f

V'1512.123311:"u "v i y, i

LInfa device ofy the class described; a plate member having an opening, a discfhavng adiameter`substantiallyless than thatpf Ithe)opening in sa'idvplatemember; :bracket means fory supporting r said discinafposition above"l ther openingfinsaid plate member l yofl-saiclldisc'ffari inylertedrcup` njl'ember havingu its j lower l-rportion 'fiare'df-outwardly andy downwardly yfor!engagrement with saidy gasket -at times "and its] extreme lower` marginal edgeportionfs extending v gasket on the peripheral 'portion directly downwardly flrentrance into the opening roil:.said#plate rrreinber, r @xpost-extending lipjsf'exit downwardly d-the'discI2"thefnext=time the cup moves W tom-oftsaid` invertedrcup member loosely; embracv` ing the upper portion aofi ysaid ypost, a" pipe-`eo`m f conduit coxnmunicatingy with the inside,vv of;` `said linverted cup-member@ 7 `member having anbpefriing'i'a disc having' adiameterwsubstantiallyless` than thatl'-'ofj .the opening: in.r said-platemember;l bracketmeans forsupport-l .ing said disc'in a positionjabove theope'ningin said plate member; argasknetonvthe peripheral portion `of saidldiscr,-anv inverted -cupwme'mber ry times;` and.. its'lextreineylofwerfmarginal edg'efporte fwithih-:msme foff the cup proper;

i fAlthouglimost milking:machines'operalte bythe .I y *application of'intermitte'nt?superatmospheric'an@r osplieric f air `v press'ure to the "milk conn to'ope ate "on* periodic minus pressure suchmachinesrthe eliminatio Ao mitten n plus '-'pressures provides .no` mel 1 intermittently rsismgrthe inverted *cup member to'-rpermit' the "to` pass through the *yal Tfovercome such-warproblem, I have provid means i may obviously rerndved.or` replaced `the fi'riverted cup member. In"` cases where i, minus pressures? are experienind,` the accunti'lilati` a I detachable'loat means,fwhich I have designated bythenumeral 24; This `float means has"radially`A extending fingers 25 for engaging theiiare'd'por#r non fofpthe inverted-1 'cup member; y This -nat` into-lthezfopeningmof aid-plate member, apost extending .upwardl n n u waysfin the uppenendlportionof said post,` a hollow sternrportio'nv on'thevbott'omv of said inverted cuprmembex: communicating with-'- the insideoi v said `inverted cup member vtile upper end-fof jsai'dipos-t,

lidably engaging be' member having 'one'lnd :embnacingsaid l'hollowfstem `portion', and f; azeonduitisecuredtoi and communicating with' the anima ,deviofi j member-having .anopening-rQ a ldisc member hav-`r ing.; ag 11=rmeter-a-substastral-1y` iess mani that of thefopening` in vzsaiol;.platemember;bracket means for supporting said-disetini a; vnormen-7above the opening :inl "said yinhaltemember?y a gasket -'on the perliplvieralr.portionv ot` Saidfrcli'sc,r -aneiriverted "cup memberrhavihgrits lweijportionilared outwardly `and Adownwardmforengagera@nlwithraidl gas-'l4 1 v ketl atl timesfandtitsv extreme lower marginalpedge" l f portion. extending:directly` downwardly` forengtrancefintoithe openitxgfo isaidplateamember, a A rposiiniextenidixziggluimramily cupi.: membrtcommunioating withl the inl? side.. of aideinverttedwlcup; member., and Slidablyy Uppelend. 0f faltub l'nelnmi benhavingtonerendl embrningmsaidlhollowsteml portlonna:fconduitrsecured 1t0,and.9mum,tmg

class described, a plate l with the inside ofgsaid inverted cup member, and a splash ring on the inside bottom of said inverted vcup member loosely embracing said post.

sure greater than that of the pressure of the outside atmosphere and a pressure less than that of the pressure of the outside'atmosphere, and a iioat means within said inverted cup member and operatively connected to said inverted cup member.

5. In a device ofthe class described, a plate member having an opening, a disc having a diameter substantially less than that of theopening in said plate member, bracket means for supporting said disc inaposition above the opening in said plate member, an inverted cup member mounted for vertical reciprocation and having a bottomflared portion capable of engaging and resting on the periphery of said disc member when in a lowered position, and a tube communicating with vthe inside of said inverted cup member.

6. In a device of the class described, a plate member having an opening, a disc having a diameter substantially less than that of the opening in said plate member, bracket means for supporting said disc in a position above the opening said plate member, an inverted cup member having its lower portion flared outwardly and downwardly for engagementewith said disc at times and its extreme lower marginal'edge portion extending directly downwardly fory entrance into the opening of said plate member, and two con'- duit members communicating with the inside of l said inverted cup member.

'7. In a device of the class described, a plate member having an opening, a disc having a diameter substantially less than thatfof the opening in said plate member, bracket means for supporting said disc in a. position above the opening in said plate member, an inverted cup member having its lower portion flared outwardly and y downwardly vfor engagement with said disc at times and vits extreme lower marginal edge portion extending directly downwardly for entrance into the opening of said plate member, a post extending .upwardly fromsaid disc, air passageways in the upper end portion of said,A post, ay

hollow stem portion on the bottom of said inverted cup member communicating with the inside of said inverted cup member andslidably engaging the upper end of said post, a tube member having one end embracing said hollow stem portion, and a conduit secured to and communigating with the inside of said inverted cup mem- 8. In-adevi'ce of the class described, a plate member having an opening, a disc having a .diameter less than that of thel opening in said plate member, bracket means for supporting said disc, an inverted cup member having its lower portion flared outwardly and downwardly for engagement with'said disc at timeswith its extreme lower marginal edge portion extending directly downwardly through the opening of said plate member, a post extending upwardly from said disc, air passageways in the upper end portion of said post, a hollow stem portion o n the bottom of said inverted cup member communicating with the inside of said inverted cup member and slidably engaging the upper Iend of said post, a tube member having one endembracing said hollow stem portion, and a conduit secured to and communicating with the inside of said inverted cup' member.

9. In a milking machine,a valve unit includingy a horizontal valve portion, means supporting said valve portion againstmovement, a valve chamber, a portion carrie'don said valve portion and valve portion, a valve chamber reciprocally movextended vupwardly withinsaid valve v chamber loosely contacting said valve chamber to normally guide it ifor vertical reciprocal movement relative 1 to said valve portion, a valve seat adjacent the lower end of said valve chamber engageable with said valve portion atv the lowermost position of travel Vof said valve chamber to close said valve unit, and an exhaust conduit and a milk conduit connected with said valve chamber, with said valve portion supporting means being entirely out of the path of upward movement of said valve chamber to provide for a free lifting vand separation of said valve chamber from said upright portion and valve portion.

10. In a milking machine having a milk receptacle, a valve unit including a stationary valve' portion, means supporting said valve portion on said milk receptacle, with said supporting means being substantially below the top level of said able vertically relative to said valve portion, means on said valve portion extended upwardly within said valve chamber and slidably engageable with said valve chamber to guide its reciprccal movement, a valve seat on said valve chamber ,Y

engageable with said valve portion to denneA its reciprocal movement downwardly 'and to close said valve unit, with said valve chamber being normally in slidable engagement with said upwardly extending means during its upwardv movement to open said valve unit, but freely movable rupwardly out of engagement with said guide means to vprovide for the complete separation of said valve chamber from said guide means and valve portion, and a milk conduit and an exhaust conduit connected with said valve chamber.

11. In a milking machine having a milk receptacle and a cover therefor with an opening therein, a valve unit including stationary means comprising a valve member, means supporting said valve member on said cover in a spaced relation with said opening, vertical reciprocating means comprising a valve chamber of substantially inverted cup-shape having its lower end extendible within said opening and about said valve member, a valve seat adjacentvsaid lower end engageable with said valve portion to close said valveunit when said valve chamber is in its lowermost position of travel, means on said valve member loosely engageable with said valve chamber to normallyguide the reciprocal travel of said valve chamber, means for alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure in said valve chamber to' alternately raise and lower said valve seat relative to said valve member, and a milk conduit connected with said valve chamber, with said valve member supporting means being out of the path of upward travel of said valve chamber to provide for its free separation from said guide means and valve member.

JESSE R. LOWRY. 

